Ive always had DelPo as the main threat the the Big 4 but these stats make sobering reading if you are a DelPo supporter. Come to think of it how many GS semi-finals has he been in? Is it only 1?

He's probably too one-dimensional and doesn't move well enough to win another Slam. I think Andy would just keep him moving, whilst keeping it away from his forehand as much as possible, until he tires out.

Ive always had DelPo as the main threat the the Big 4 but these stats make sobering reading if you are a DelPo supporter. Come to think of it how many GS semi-finals has he been in? Is it only 1?

He's probably too one-dimensional and doesn't move well enough to win another Slam. I think Andy would just keep him moving, whilst keeping it away from his forehand as much as possible, until he tires out.

Agreed. He's probably the best of the rest but his game just isn't good enough to trouble the top 4. Berdych is less consistent but clearly more capable of causing them problems (his record is appalling against Djokovic and Nadal but he rarely gets trounced like DelPo has).

Truthfully I think there's little between Del Potro, Tsonga and Berdych. Ferrer will consistently beat anyone below the top 8 but can only trouble any of the top 4 (Murray) on clay. The other three are consistent hard hitters but just don't have enough variety. They can all punish the top guys on their day, but if the top four are on form they don't stand a chance.

It is now mathematically possible for Andy to finish 'Year End' number 2. Since Roger Federer bowed out of Paris Masters he will drop 1000 points. Andy would have to win in Paris and go deep into the WTF. Federer would have to loose the WTF Title, never the less it is now possible!

Most straightforward way to work out what needs to be done is to look at the Year-to-date rankings, which are as follows:

1 Djokovic 11,4102 Federer 94653 Murray 75104 Nadal 6795

So forget current rankings, forget trying to work out who's defending what, because all those points come off after Paris anyway.

Murray needs to gain 1960 ranking points on Federer to overtake him before year-end. Realistically, it means he needs to win both Paris and WTF, hoping Federer doesn't get past the SFs in London. Realistically, this is probably too much to ask for.

If Murray is YE #2 I'll be shocked. So please, let's stop getting ahead of ourselves. Let's just hope Andy closes the gap as much as possible and then makes a really challenge early next year.

Most straightforward way to work out what needs to be done is to look at the Year-to-date rankings, which are as follows:

1 Djokovic 11,4102 Federer 94653 Murray 75104 Nadal 6795

So forget current rankings, forget trying to work out who's defending what, because all those points come off after Paris anyway.

Murray needs to gain 1960 ranking points on Federer to overtake him before year-end. Realistically, it means he needs to win both Paris and WTF, hoping Federer doesn't get past the SFs in London. Realistically, this is probably too much to ask for.

If Murray is YE #2 I'll be shocked. So please, let's stop getting ahead of ourselves. Let's just hope Andy closes the gap as much as possible and then makes a really challenge early next year.

You're right tmh. Don't let's set ourselves up for disappointment just because he doesn't achieve the unlikely. If he won WTF I'd be more than happy.